Shade: Hazy Brown (18). Comes in 5 colors.
Best For: Everyday eye makeup
Texture: Creamy gel
Finish: Soft matte
Pigmentation: Rich and buildable
Waterproof: Yes
Smudge-proof: Yes
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5
Verdict: A beautiful Korean brown gel eyeliner with a creamy formula, impressive staying power, and a flattering everyday shade.
Price- $14 / Rs 1300 for 0.14g
I've always had a soft spot for colored eyeliners. While black eyeliner will always have a place in my makeup collection, I enjoy experimenting with different shades that can instantly change the overall look of my makeup. Over the years, I've tried everything from brown and burgundy to plum, navy, olive green, and even glitter eyeliners. Some have become everyday favorites, while others looked beautiful in the pencil but didn't quite perform the way I had hoped.
Brown eyeliners, in particular, are something I keep going back to. They define the eyes beautifully without looking as bold or intense as black, making them perfect for everyday makeup. Whether I'm going for a minimal "no-makeup" makeup look or pairing them with soft neutral eyeshadows, a good brown eyeliner always makes my eyes look more defined while still looking natural.
That's what made me pick up the Lilybyred Starry Eyes AM9 to PM9 Gel Eyeliner in Haze Brown. I had seen it featured in several Korean beauty videos and was instantly drawn to the shade. It looked like the kind of brown that would add subtle definition without overpowering the rest of my makeup. After using it regularly for the past few weeks, I finally have a clear opinion on how it performs. Here's my honest review, including everything I liked, what could have been better, and whether I think it's worth adding to your makeup collection.
Why I Bought the Lilybyred Gel Eyeliner
Lately, I've been leaning towards softer makeup looks. Instead of heavy black eyeliner every day, I wanted something that would enhance my eyes without making them look overly dramatic. I was looking for an eyeliner that would:
- Glide smoothly without tugging.
- Have a creamy formula.
- Stay in place throughout the day.
- Be suitable for everyday makeup.
- Complement both minimal and full-face makeup looks.
The Lilybyred Starry Eyes AM9 to PM9 Gel Eyeliner seemed to check all those boxes. Since I've been enjoying Korean makeup products recently, I thought this would be a nice addition to my collection.
Packaging
The Lilybyred Starry Eyes AM9 to PM9 Gel Eyeliner comes in a slim retractable pencil with a sleek, minimalist design that's typical of Korean beauty products. The pencil has a deep brown body at the end that complements the Hazy Brown shade beautifully, while the product name is printed vertically in pink, giving it a clean and modern look. The pencil in turn comes in a beautiful pink cardboard box packaging with all the details written in Korean. I personally like that the packaging is simple yet elegant—it doesn't feel overly flashy but still stands out in my makeup collection.
One feature I really appreciate is the built-in small sharpener hidden at the bottom of the pencil. Even though the eyeliner is retractable, the tip naturally becomes rounded after a few uses. Having a sharpener attached means I can easily sharpen the tip whenever I want a more precise line or a sharper wing without needing to carry a separate sharpener. It's a small detail, but it's incredibly practical and something I wish more retractable eyeliners offered.
The cap fits securely, and the pencil feels lightweight but sturdy enough to carry in a makeup pouch without worrying about it opening accidentally. Overall, the packaging is functional, travel-friendly, and thoughtfully designed. It may look simple at first glance, but features like the built-in sharpener make it much more convenient for everyday use.
Shade Review – Haze Brown
I chose the shade Haze Brown, and honestly, it has become one of my favorite brown eyeliners. This isn't a very dark brown that almost looks black, nor is it a reddish brown that can sometimes make the eyes appear tired. Instead, Haze Brown sits somewhere beautifully in between. It's a soft neutral brown with just enough depth to define the eyes while still looking natural. The first time I applied it, I immediately noticed how much softer my eye makeup looked compared to using black eyeliner. It enhances the eyes without overpowering them.
For everyday makeup, I actually found myself reaching for this shade more often than black because it gives a more effortless appearance. I honestly didn't expect a brown eyeliner to change my makeup routine this much. For years, I assumed black eyeliner was the only option if I wanted my eyes to stand out. After using Haze Brown consistently, I've realized that's not necessarily true. Brown eyeliner creates a softer definition that works beautifully during the day. It pairs especially well with neutral eyeshadows, peach blushes, and glossy lips. Whenever I wore this eyeliner, my makeup looked fresher and more natural. Even on minimal makeup days, it helped my eyes appear more awake without looking heavily lined.
Texture and Formula
The first thing I noticed when I swatched the eyeliner was how creamy it felt. It glides across the skin effortlessly without skipping or dragging. Since the skin around the eyes is delicate, I always appreciate eyeliners that don't require too much pressure during application. The formula feels smooth enough to create clean lines in one motion. At the same time, it doesn't feel overly soft to the point where it breaks easily. I found that balance really nice because some gel eyeliners become so creamy that they lose their shape after only a few uses. This one stayed easy to work with throughout my testing period.
Pigmentation
The pigmentation impressed me right from the beginning. Unlike some brown eyeliners that appear slightly faded, Haze Brown delivers rich color immediately. One swipe gives a beautiful medium-to-deep brown line that looks even and smooth. For my everyday makeup, a single swipe was usually enough. On days when I wanted my eyeliner to stand out a little more, I simply layered another coat, and the color built up nicely without becoming patchy. I also appreciated that the shade remained true brown after application instead of turning grey or dull.
Application
This eyeliner is incredibly easy to apply. Whether I wanted a thin everyday line close to my lashes or a slightly thicker wing, the creamy formula made the entire process feel effortless. Because it glides so smoothly, I didn't have to repeatedly go over the same area. I also experimented with smudging it immediately after application. Since the formula stays workable for a short time before setting, I was able to create a soft smoky eyeliner look using a small brush.
Once set, it became much harder to move, which is exactly what I want from a gel eyeliner.
Everyday Performance
Most of my makeup is fairly simple, so I tested this eyeliner in situations that reflected how I actually wear makeup. Some days I paired it with nothing more than mascara and lip balm. Other days I wore it with foundation, eyeshadow, and full makeup. In both situations, Haze Brown blended beautifully into the overall look. It never looked too dramatic or too light. Instead, it simply enhanced my eyes in a subtle, elegant way. That's probably what I love most about this shade. It makes my eyes look more defined without immediately drawing attention to the eyeliner itself.
How It Performed Throughout the Day
After the first few applications, I was curious to see whether this eyeliner would live up to its "AM9 to PM9" name. As someone with slightly oily eyelids, I know how quickly some eyeliners can fade or transfer, especially after a long day. So I tested it on regular workdays, while running errands, and even on a few particularly warm afternoons.
The first thing I noticed was how well the eyeliner stayed in place once it had set. It takes around 20 to 30 seconds to dry completely, which gives enough time to make small corrections or gently smudge it if you're going for a softer look. After it sets, though, it doesn't move around easily.
Throughout most of the day, the color remained beautifully intact. It didn't transfer onto my upper eyelids or create those annoying dark marks that some creamy eyeliners tend to leave behind. Even after several hours, the line still looked neat and well-defined. There was a slight fading by the end of the day, especially on my waterline, but it was much less noticeable than with many other gel eyeliners I've used.
Is It Waterproof?
One of the reasons I enjoy Korean eyeliners is that many of them are designed to withstand humidity, and this one didn't disappoint. I splashed water on my face during my skincare routine and also wore it on a particularly humid day. The eyeliner stayed put surprisingly well. It didn't run down my face or leave black streaks under my eyes.
Of course, no eyeliner is completely immune to vigorous rubbing. If you rub your eyes repeatedly, you will notice some fading. But under normal wear, including light sweating and humidity, I found the waterproof performance to be impressive.
Does It Smudge?
This was one area where the Lilybyred eyeliner performed better than I expected. Once the formula had fully set, I experienced very little smudging. Even after wearing it for several hours, the eyeliner stayed exactly where I had applied it. I particularly liked using it along my upper lash line because it maintained a clean, crisp finish throughout the day. On the waterline, there was some natural fading after many hours of wear, but it never turned into messy smudges under my eyes. Personally, I'd much rather have a product fade gradually than end up with panda eyes, and that's exactly how this eyeliner behaved.
Removing the Eyeliner
Despite its impressive staying power, removing the eyeliner at the end of the day wasn't difficult. I found that micellar water removed most of the product, although I preferred using an oil-based makeup remover because it dissolved the eyeliner much more quickly without requiring excessive rubbing around my eyes. Since the eye area is delicate, I always appreciate products that come off easily while still lasting well throughout the day, and this eyeliner strikes that balance nicely.
Comparing it with Other Brown Eyeliners I’ve Tried
Since I enjoy collecting colored eyeliners, I couldn’t help comparing this one with a few others in my collection. Compared to some affordable drugstore brown eyeliners, the Lilybyred formula feels noticeably smoother during application. It glides more effortlessly and sets into a cleaner finish. The Hazy Brown shade also looks more natural than some warmer brown eyeliners that lean slightly reddish. I found this neutral brown easier to pair with different eyeshadow looks and everyday makeup. Where this eyeliner really stands out is the balance between pigmentation and comfort. It delivers good color payoff without feeling dry or dragging on the skin, making it one of the more comfortable gel eyeliners I’ve used recently.
Who Would I Recommend it to?
After using it consistently, I think this eyeliner would be perfect for anyone who enjoys soft, natural eye makeup. If you’ve always felt that black eyeliner looks too harsh for daytime wear, Hazy Brown is an excellent alternative. It defines the eyes beautifully while still looking subtle and elegant. I also think it’s a great choice for beginners because the creamy formula makes it very easy to apply. If you’re a fan of Korean beauty products or simply want an eyeliner that’s comfortable enough for everyday use, I can definitely see this becoming a regular part of your makeup routine.
What I Loved
The biggest highlight for me is undoubtedly the shade. Hazy Brown strikes the perfect balance between natural and defined, making it incredibly versatile for everyday makeup. I also enjoyed how creamy the formula felt during application. It glided effortlessly without pulling at my eyelids and stayed comfortable throughout the day. The built-in sharpener is another thoughtful feature that I genuinely appreciated. It allows me to keep the tip sharp whenever I want a more precise line without carrying extra tools. Finally, I was impressed by how well the eyeliner stayed in place once it had set. It handled humidity well, resisted smudging, and looked fresh for most of the day.
What I Didn’t Love
While I genuinely enjoyed using this eyeliner, no product is completely perfect. Because the formula is quite creamy, I found it important to replace the cap properly after every use to prevent the tip from drying out. I also wish the eyeliner was a little more easily available in India, as Korean makeup products can sometimes be difficult to repurchase. Apart from that, I honestly didn’t have many complaints. It performed exactly the way I hoped an everyday brown eyeliner would.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Beautiful neutral brown shade for everyday wear | ❌ Limited availability in India |
| ✔ Creamy formula glides effortlessly | ❌ Slightly expensive compared to many drugstore eyeliners |
| ✔ Smudge-resistant after setting | |
| ✔ Waterproof and long-lasting | |
| ✔ Built-in sharpener for precise application |
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